As the Monaco Grand Prix is just around the corner it is only right for us to revel in the fashion and glamour that comes with this weekend. We usually get to see the overspill of celebrities, who have just left the Cannes Film Festival, dressed like they should be on a catwalk in Paris or Milan rather than on the grid. It's lucky that the drivers are traveling at such a high speed around the streets of Monaco or else we could end up with more than a few pile ups, as the drivers *David Coulthard* would otherwise become distracted when they pass by the harbour and then see the scantily clad women sunbathing on the decks of the moored yachts. With all of the famous people in Monaco this weekend there are always numerous grand social gatherings, mainly just to show off what they have achieved in a year and how much money they have earned, but this allows us to see the drivers take off their everyday sponsor covered team-wear and don those luscious tuxedoes. However some drivers do not manage to look this good all of the time, Michael Schumacher being the main offender.

Ever since Michael arrived in F1, in 1991, he has been known for his rather ambiguous style of fashion. It's one that the press put down to him being German but this I feel cannot quite be it. As if that were the case wouldn't Ralf be like Michael and go for some rather disastrous choices in outfits' The only thing Michael and Ralf share in common when it comes to wearing clothes is the tucking in of t-shirts but Ralf actually manages to pull it off with more style than Michael. Perhaps that's because of Michael's physique. We all know that because Michael is so thin he cannot wear most designer clothes, jeans especially are the main problem for him. Even without designer jeans he still manages to look excellent and we certainly don't mind Michael wearing jeans that are rather tight fitting. However muscular and tanned Michael's legs are shorts are not his strong point. Its more a case of he doesn't choose the right shorts to fit him than his legs looking terrible. Michael seems to have taken a liking to Lycra cycling shorts and as we all know these are a major no-no when it comes to fashion even when you are doing sports. He also finds it a must to wear socks pulled up with trainers and tie his laces in big bows. When it comes to sunbathing, most men choose to wear swimming shorts but Michael prefers a more all over tan, which means that trunks must be worn (thank God Michael isn't Brazilian). This happens to result in not much being left to the imagination when the paparazzi decide they want photographs of Michael and his family.

Before Michael's arrival at Ferrari he wasn't to confidant when it came to what he wore but now as the seasons pass he doesn't mind what the press say about him. He even ended up on a German TV show dressed up as a bunny, which actually made him look cute and not many people can say that when they are dressed as the Easter bunny. At Austria all the drivers were issued with green felt hats with a feather in them, Michael was the only one who took it in his stride and wore his around the paddock all morning. As a result of this all the other drivers criticized him for it, Michael didn't care and continued with his duties.

When Michael arrives back from his holidays in Utah we see a change in Michael. Not one of personality but one of clothes. He takes on the cowboy look. Michael is not one who does things by half so we get to see him in a Stetson, pointed toe boots, outrageously over sized belts and even a pair of chaps occasionally. You may think ok, that's not too bad but when he decides to top this lot off with a pink or brightly coloured checked shirt and maybe a bum bag you start getting really bad mental images. The only way to combat these horrifying images is by remembering what Michael looks like in a suit. When he wears a suit it is the only time he can get away with wearing those horrible shirts that he insists on wearing each season. The FIA hearing in Monaco, about Austria 2002, is the best example of how stunning Michael can look in a suit.

Then we come to his race suits and team-wear. This is really the only time that Michael doesn't have to dress himself, or that Corinna doesn't get a say in what he wears. With Michael having personal sponsors he has to accommodate them first e.g. DVAG and that he has to wear a baseball cap with their logo on it at all times when he is in front of the press and when what he is doing is in connection to Formula One with the exception of when he is on the podium. Nike used to be his personal sponsor, which meant that they had a say in the clothes he wore when he was training but now that place has been taken by Fila. In his race suit beneath four layers of fireproof nomex he still manages to look the part and not like a tramp as some drivers manage to do. *cough* Jacques Villeneuve *cough*

When it comes down to it do we really have a problem with the way Michael looks off the track, no not at all. As long as he is wearing those red overalls and his helmet for a few more seasons none of us could care less if he wants to continue wearing the cowboy theme and those appalling shirts. To us he is five times world champion and that's all that matters' well not quite, we all have to be glad that he lost the mullet!

 

Article written by: Kayleigh (aka KazMS)